Combined electric fan and air heating means



.1. M. AUFIERO COMBINED ELECTRIC FAN AND .AIR HEATING MEANS Filed Sept. 19, 1946 June 14, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 HTTORN E (S June 14, 1949. v u. M. AUFIERO 2,473,325

COMBINED ELECTRIC FAN AND AIR HEATING MEANS Filed Sept. 19, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO'R 101m flu/Mra TM M4. law

I TTORNEYS June 14, 1949. J. M. AUFIERO I 2;473,325

COMBINED ELECTRIC FAN AND AIR HEATING MEANS Filed Sept; 19, 1946, 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HTTORNEYS Patented June 14, 1949 COMBINEDELECTRIC'FANAND"AIR HEATING S' John. M. Aufiero, Plandome,- N. Y.',, assignor. tor

E. A. Laboratories, Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y.,.a.cor.- poration. of, New York Application september- 19, 1946; Serial TNo.-69'7,857

5. Claims.

This; inventionrelates to an improved fan unit for air circulation; and has as its principaLobject, the provision ofacombinedfan and heater unitwhich is guarded: againstidamage, to rotating: or. operating, parts,,will not: constitute a firehazard when used as a. heater, and will not be dangerous for use. in homes in which therearesmall children.

Electric fans are commonly provided with guardmeans about the, rotatingfan blades. Gen,-

erally, the guardmeans comprise wire structures havingvery large openings, and, inefficiently guard against the. accidental or wilful insertion oiforeigrr objects into the fanarea. The;motors andiwhere used, the motor oscil1atorare usually unprotected. It. is not an infrequent occurrence. for: draperies or other'hanging objects to be blown, or: drawn between: the openings of the. guard to. become entangled. with the blades of thefan, or to catch on the mechanism by which the fan is oscillatedto and" fro. Children have been known: to poke; theirfingers into the whirling blades of the fan- When, as has been proposed, heating; coils. or other heat producing elements are arranged in conjunction with the fanso that warmed air may be circulated throughout the, room thehazard becomes additionally great because of' the fact that draperies or other inflammable objects which may be drawn intothe' fan may catchfire, or the fan, if knocked'over, may by heat radiation or conduction, ignitethe'object on whichit has fallen.

Pursuant tothe present invention, a fan. havingan optionally usable heating element, is'provided. with; an improved casing or housing which does not materially interfere with. air flow, but does: provide complete protection against the, hazards enumerated above; Among, the several objects of the invention, therefore, are:

To; provide an electric fan having a safety casing provided with guard means which afford. complete protection against the entry of foreign objects, but are nevertheless easily removableto permit access to the interior for replacement. or: repair of the respective elements. ofv the fan: andheater unit To provide a combined fan and electric heating unit having a heating; element operable: conjointly with the fan.to:provide a gentle, enforcedwarm air' circulation;

To provide-acombined fan and heater wherein; theheatcoils or-the'like may easily be removed; as. a unit without: affecting the-operation of. the fan;

'Ilo; provideeaecombined fan, and, heater having;

means whereby a portionof the heat coils; may be optionally disconnected: when desired to-reduce. the power consumption. therof;

provide a unithaving heating and air circulating means which. may be optionally oscillatable or. adjusted to any vertical angle of discharge within predetermined limits;

To. provide: an air circulation means having anoscillatingmechanism whereby the air stream is caused .toitraverseapredetermined arc-andwherein the oscillating mechanism is. enclosed withinthesa-fety casing to protect it against damage or from being fouledby objects-entering the casing;

To provide a fan oscillating; mechanism which may: berendered non-operativezat will. by a simple. means whichv isaccessible from the outsideof the casing; and

To provide an air circulation unit embodying a=fan=.andtheat coiLmeans, fully protected by a subs-tantialguard. construction which does not interfere with theeinclination or the unit or the oscillation; thereof.

Qther features and advantages of the inven-' tion willrsbez apparent. from a: study of the an-- nexedl: drawings and the description relating. thereto=.

In the-accompanyingdrawings:

Fig. 1 is; aif-ront' View, the. fan blades having been: removed? to reveal structure hidden thereby, andiwitha portion, only, vofthe front guardgrille being; shown;

Fig. Zais a sideelevation of the structure, partly in section;-

Fig:..-3=is:a detail=section on lines 3-3 of Fig. 1-,

showlng-1the'insulator mountings for the heat.

coil unit;

Figyiis a'tonplan view of the oscillatingmechanism-withthe cover portion thereof removed. to:

show internal structure;

Fig. 5' is a vertical sectional elevation of the. oscillating-mechanism. control on line 55v of Fig. 4;,atonestageof operation thereof;

Fig. 6 is a schematiciwiring diagram showing thefan control andheater control; and.

Fig. '7 is a modified wiring,- diagram showing. an optional arrangementwhereby half of the heating; col-1s maygbe disconnected fromthe circuit.

Referring; to thedrawings, the. combined heater. andair circulatorl llLis-supportedupon a relatively heavybaseal h of.- adequate area and.- preferablyprovided with. holes (not shown) to permitthebase to-be securedto. a wall or other. vertical; surface.

thatzithevstandardimay lie-inclined from the. ver- Astandard I2 is pivotally se-- curedrtnthe base. as on.the: screw shaft I 4, so.

3 tical if desired. Preferably a set screw l5 or equivalent is utilized to retain the standard l2 in its adjusted position.

Supported upon the standard l2 so as to be rotatable thereon is a fan motor 6, which may have a conventional oscillation drive ll which, as is known in the art, has a power-driven eccentric IB and a crank arm connection l9 with the standard. The oscillating mechanism is preferably normally set so as to be non-operative, whereby the fan motor is stationary upon its standard, but through the agency of a setting means 20, later described, the fan motor automatically oscillates through a predetermined arc.

The fan blades 2| are of any conventional construction.

At the front and rear faces of the fan motor, and supported thereon by screws 22 which enter suitable lugs provided in the motor casing, are arcuate support frames 23, 24 which together form the structure for supporting the casing and the heat coil. The said frames 23, 24 are of such frontal configuration, see Fig. l, as to secure three brackets 25, 26, 21 which extend substantially radially at mutual angles of 120 degrees. Each bracket has at its lower portion an ear 28 which may fit within the spaced frames 23, 24, for attachment thereto by screws or equivalent; and also has at its outer end a flange 30 which engages with the inside wall of the casing 3| and is affixed thereto by rivets or the like.

As appears in Fig. 2, the respective brackets are substantially triangular, with a wide base firmly aflixed at the motor, and a single point of contact with the casing 3|. Such construction affords rigidity of casing support, while effectively reducing transmission of motor vibration.

As is apparent from the opening 32 through which the standard l2 passes, the casing may freely oscillate with the fan motor.

The heat coils 33 are advantageously carried by the lower brackets 25, 21, on an angularly V-shaped frame having side members 34, 35 which are preferably screwed to lugs 35, 31 provided on the respective brackets. Said side members are interconnected by a transverse brace 35, said brace having, near its ends, the spaced pairs of interfitting insulators 38, 39 which by means of the illustrated machine screws or equivalent insulatedly secure brackets 40 to the terminals 4| to which are attached the ends of the heat coils and the respective interconnecting and power leads 42, 43. A connector block 44 mounted on the standard l2 provides terminal connections for the power leads 43. At the upper end of the support members 34, 35 are insulating spacer blocks 45 supporting the upper ends of the heat coils. In Fig. 1, the respective heat coils are in series, as shown in Fig. 6. An intermediate insulating spacer 46 is secured to each of the supports 34, 35 for additional heat coil support.

The heat coils, as appears in Fig. 2, occupy a vertical plane behind the fan 2|, substantially centrally of the casing.

The casing 3| is enclosed at its ends by the inwardly flanged grille supports 41, removably afiixed to the casing by suitable means such as sheet metal screws. The guard grilles at each grille support include a plurality, preferably four, of groups of rods 48 which ailix at one end to the respective grille supports and extend radially inwardly. Interconnecting the said groups of rods 48 are a plurality of rods 49 concentrically arranged upon, and preferably spot-welded to,

said radial groups. Rods 49 are sufficiently spaced to completely protect the interior of the casing against the introduction of any large foreign objects such as draperies, curtains or the like, and to make it diflicult for a child to insert his fingers sufficiently to strike the fan blades. The relatively small diameter of the rods does not materially interfere with the flow of air through the casing.

The center casing portion 3| is ventilated by blanking out a plurality of openings 50 which commence in an area beneath the heat coil mount and continue about the periphery of the casing to an area adjacent the handle 5| affixed thereto. In an extreme circumstance wherein the device may have been knocked over on its face with the fan and heat coils in operation, so as to block off normal axial air flow through the casing, the ventilating openings 50 will permit sufiicient outward movement of air to prevent overheating of the heat coils and undesirable or dangerous rise of casing temperature. The central disposition of the connector block 44 and that location of the leads 42, 43, well behind the fan 2| makes it an almost impossibility to reach the block or leads, without first removing the fan.

It will be seen that the heat coils are easily removable as a unit by detaching the front grille mount 41 and the fan blades 2|, whereupon the screws affixing the heat coil mounting structures to the lugs 36 are accessible. The leads 43 of the coils are readily available for disconnection from the block 44. It is contemplated that jack and plug connections may be used for easy attachment and removal of the leads 43 from the block, although the high wattage performance of the heat coils may require the better electrical connection aiforded by standard screw binding posts.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, two optional wiring diagrams are shown. Fig. 6 discloses the heat coils 33 in series connection and it is presently contemplated that the coils will draw 2600 Watts for such installations as factories or offices where heavy duty wiring is available. In the Fig. 7 circuit the heat coils are arranged in two seriesconnected pairs, with a separate switching means to disconnect one pair to reduce the current demand to 1300 watts to conform to standard residential wiring.

In the Fig. 6 circuit, the double pole, single throw heat coil switch has a lead 56 connected to one of the main power source leads 5'! and a lead 58 which, through the agency of the connector block connects to one of the leads 43 in the series heat coil circuit. The right hand lead 43 as viewed in Fig. 6 connects through the block 44 to the other lead 59 of the main power source.

The motor [6 is controlled by a switch 60, the central pole of which is connected to power source lead 51. Switch 50 has three positions which individually connect by the leads 6|, 52, 63 to winding of a choke 54. From the uppermost switch position a lead 65 connects through the block 44 to a motor lead 66. The return motor lead 61 connects to the block 44 and thence through conductor 59 to the power supply. Considering first motor operation in absence of heat coil operation, the switch 55 will be in off position, and no current will flow to the heat coils. The motor switch in its first position passes through conductor 6|, the full choke winding, thence through conductors 63, 65 and. 66 to he motor. The resistanc of the choke winding will operate the motor at its lowest speed, say 1000 R. P. M. At the second position, one half of the choke Windingis' out out, providing a speed" of- 1200'R'i' P. and) at the top-position; the choke isout crime-circuit and the motor" will operate at'fulHiOO'RE PE M; speed.

It will be noted that the-second pole of switch- '5 is connected" through lea-(1'68 to the opposite choke winding; and thence through lead 18 to a junction-with'lead'61; With switch 55 thrown to choke-andthe conductors 63,85; 66, even though the-motor'switch 60is open; In this condition of-goperation; the motor-speed will be about 700' R 'P'; The motor-speed may; be increased'as desired, even'with' the heatcoilsinoperat-ion, by throwing its switch 60' to the appropriate speed position, whereupon the effect of thechoke' 62- will be; appropriately reduced. With the two switch comb'inationgtherefore, four motor speeds may b attainedwith the heatcoilsin operation.

In the circuit of Fig. 7, one pole of switch 55 connectsthrough lead EBian-dconnector block 44A to lead 43 to the innermost of the left hand heat coils 33, whichis inseries with. the innermost right hand coil, thence through conductor 43 and block-. fl'A to conductor 59% The outermost pair of coils connects'fromlead-582 through lead Tl to' a single-pole single throwv switch 12, fromwhich lead 13 connects to block A and thence through lead 43A to the outermost heat coil 33 of the left hand group. The series-connected outer right hand coil 33 connects to lead 43 and thence to conductor 59.

It will be seen that the heat coils can be energized only when switch 55 is closed and that the outer coils 33 can be energized only when switch 12 is closed. Thus, either both or only one of the heat coil pairs may be energized.

The motor control is as previously described.

As indicated in dotted line in Fig. 2, the respective switches and, choke are preferably mounted within the base I l.

Referring now to the oscillating control l1, Fig. 4 discloses the motor shaft 15 terminating in a worm gear 16 continually in mesh with the gear 11 fixed to a shaft the opposite end of which has a Worm gear 18. Gear 18 is continually in mesh with a cooperating gear 80 which is freely rotatable on a vertical'shaft 8| and rests on a shoulder 82 formed on said shaft. So long as the motor is in operation, the gear 80 will be in rotation.

The upper end 83 of shaft 8| is threaded and receives a cooperatively threaded sleeve 84. Disposed intermediate the bottom of said sleeve and the upper surface of gear 80 is a friction washer 85. Extending axially upwardly from sleeve 84 is a shaft 86 to which is keyed a bevel gear 81, the teeth of which are substantially higher than standard.

A bracket 88 fixed to the casing of the oscillating mechanism journals a shaft 9|] having at its end a bevel gear 9| for cooperation with gear 81. Gear 9| also has abnormally high teeth. A coil spring 92 disposed between the bracket and the knob 20 normally urges the shaft 90 to the right of Fig. 5, into a position wherein the gears 81 and SI are not in mesh.

When oscillation of the fan is desired the knob 28 is pushed inwardly to a position where gears 81 and 9| are in mesh. Upon rotation of the shaft in the proper direction the sleeve 84 will screw downwardly along the end 83 of shaft 8|, whereupon the end of said sleeve will tightly confine the friction washer 85 against the surface of gear 88, which in turn will clamp the restoringgear "toits normal free rotation onv shaft 8|; The purpose of the abnormally high teeth on the respective gears 81 and 9! is to permit a sufficient upward movement of the sleeve 88' during the unscrewing thereof.

Asprevi'ously stated, the oscillating mechanism is protective housed within the casing. The knob 28 -projects outwardly through the rear grille, as

shown. in Fig. 2; for ready accessibility. The knobdoesnot rotate, inasmuch as the gear 9| is normally disengaged from gear 8'5; hence there are no exposed moving parts to become entangled with foreign objects which may be in the proximity.

Although the invention has been described by making afully detailed reference to the certain, presently preferred embodiments, such detail of description is to be understood in an instructive rather than a limiting sense, many changes being possible within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. Air circulation means comprising a motor mounted upon a standard; a fan fixed to the shaft of said motor; a pair of frames fixed to the motor at opposite ends thereof; a plurality of substantially triangular brackets affixed at their bases to said frames and extending approximately radially outwardly from said motor, and a casing supported upon the apices of said triangular brackets and concentric with said motor, said casing completely encompassing said fan and said motor and having at its opposite ends closely spaced grille means to permit air flow while precluding the entry of any relatively large foreign objects.

2. Air circulation means comprising a motor mounted upon a standard; a fan fixed to the shaft of said motor; a pair of frame members afilxed to the opposite end walls of the motor casing; triangular bracket means disposed between said frame members and afiixed thereto to extend radially outwardly from said motor; a heat coil insulatedly carried by said bracket means behind said fan; and a casing supported upon the apex ends of said brackets and concentric with said motor, said casing completely encompassing said fan, heat coil, and motor, and having at its opposite ends removable grille means to preclude the entry of any large objects into said casing.

3. Air circulation means comprising a motor swivelly mounted on a standard; means actuated by said motor for causing the same to oscillate on said standard; a fan fixed to the shaft of said motor, bracket means secured to said motor and extending radially outwardly therefrom; a heat coil unit removably secured to said bracket means forwardly thereof in the path of air flow resulting from fan operation; and a casing supported by the ends of said brackets concentric with said motor and completely enveloping said fan, heat coil unit, motor and motor oscillating 7, means; said casing having removable grilles at its opposite ends to permit access to the points of securement of said heat coil unit to said brackets.

4. A combined electric fan and air heating means, comprising a base, a standard tiltable on said base, a motor mounted on said standard, said motor having a fan affixed to the shaft thereof; brackets secured to said motor and extending radially thereof; a frame removably secured to said brackets at the ends thereof; a heat coil carried by said frame behind said fan; a connector block mounted on said standard to afford means of detachably connecting said heat coil to an external power source, whereby said heat coil and its supporting frame may be removed as a unit from said brackets; a motor circuit electrically connected with said heat coil circuit, whereby when said heat coil is energized said motor will operate; a switch in said combined motor and heat coil circuit; a separate switch in said motor circuit for operation of said motor independently of said heat coil; and a casing carried by said brackets and enclosing said fan, heat coil, motor, and connection block to preclude access thereto.

5. A combined fan and heating means, comprising a base, a standard tiltable on said base, a motor mounted on said standard, and a fan 8 removably secured to the shaft of said motor; support plates fixed to said motor at the ends thereof; brackets fixed to said support plates and extending radially from said motor, the respective front edges of said brackets being in a common plane behind and substantially parallel to the plane of said fan; a substantially U- shaped frame removably secured to said brackets at the front edges thereof and having leg members extending upwardly on each side of said motor within the circle of rotation of said fan; electric heat coil means insulatedly supported on said frame; a casing supported by said brackets at the ends thereof and completely enveloping said fan, heat coil means and motor; and removable grille means at the respective ends of said casing to afford access to the means for securing said heat coil frame to said brackets.

JOHN M. AUFIERO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,158,603 Calhoun May 16, 1939 2,391,964 Green Jan. 1, 1946, 

